This study will explore new ways of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the heart and blood vessels of patients with cardiovascular disease, including better detection of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and blockage of heart and leg arteries.

Patients 21 years of age and older with cardiovascular disease may be eligible for this study.

All participants will have magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table surrounded by a metal cylinder (the scanner). A 'gadolinium contrast' material may be injected into the patient s vein during part of the study to brighten the images. Patients wear earplugs during the scan to muffle loud knocking sounds caused by the electrical switching of the magnetic fields. They will be asked to hold their breath intermittently for 5 to 20 seconds during the scan. They will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG) during the procedure and will be in contact by intercom at all times with the person performing the scan. Patients can request to stop the study and come out of the scanner at any time. The procedure may last from 30 to 90 minutes. An echocardiogram a test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart and blood vessels may be done to confirm the MRI findings. In addition, patients may undergo one or more of the following optional studies:

Dobutamine stress MRI This test uses dobutamine a medicine that simulates exercise by increasing heart rate and heart function to detect blockages in the coronary arteries (vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart) and locate areas of the heart that are permanently damaged, perhaps by a previous heart attack. For this test, MRI pictures of the heart are taken before, during and after administration of dobutamine. Gadolinium may be injected during part of the study to brighten the images. An EKG will be used to monitor the heart during the procedure.

Vasodilator MRI The procedure and objectives of this test are the same as those described for dobutamine stress MRI, except that this study uses dipyridamole or adenosine. These drugs dilate blood vessels, causing increased blood flow to the heart.

Plethysmography MRI This test determines the presence and severity of narrowing in arteries that supply blood to the leg. Blockage of these vessels often causes pain while walking. This study will compare plethysmography MRI with venous occlusion plethysmography, an older method of measuring blood flow in the legs. For venous occlusion plethysmography, a large blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper leg and a strain gauge (thin elastic band) is placed around the calf. The pressure cuff is inflated very tightly for 5 minutes to block blood flow to the leg, and another pressure cuff over the ankle is also inflated. When the large cuff is deflated, blood rushes to the leg, a smaller cuff is inflated to a low pressure, and the strain gauge measures the maximum blood flow to the leg for 1 or 2 more minutes. This procedure is done once or twice outside the MRI scanner and once or twice inside the scanner. The scans are performed as described above for the dobutamine and vasodilator studies. The strain gauge is not used for plethysmography MRI the MRI pictures are used to measure flow.

Technical Developments Related to Distinguishing Fat and Water by MRI [ Time Frame: ongoing ]

Estimated Enrollment:

7560

Study Start Date:

November 2001

Detailed Description:

The purpose of this protocol is to allow development and testing of new MRI techniques suitable for evaluating patients with cardiovascular disease. Since such technical development work often depends on preliminary studies in healthy volunteers, the protocol also recruits healthy subjects. This protocol will provide the framework for technical development scans in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

-INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Inclusion Criteria for All Arms of the Protocol:

Subjects 18 years of age or older

Written informed consent

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Exclusion Criteria for All Arms of the Protocol:

Patients with a contraindication to MRI scanning will be excluded. These contraindications include patients with the following devices:

Central nervous system aneurysm clips;

Implanted neural stimulator;

Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator;

Cochlear implant;

Ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings);

Implanted Insulin pump;

Metal shrapnel or bullet.

In addition, the following patient groups will be excluded:

Pregnant women (Patients who are uncertain as to whether they are pregnant will be required to have a screening urine or blood pregnancy test)

The eGFR will be used to estimate renal function if reported by the laboratory. Otherwise, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation (see below) in subjects with stable renal function. This formula is not applicable to patients with acute renal insufficiency:

eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m(2)) equal to 175 times (serum creatinine)-1.154 times (age)-0.203 times 0.742 (if the subject is female) times1.212 (if the subject is black)

Patients with narrow angle glaucoma and known or suspected prostatic obstruction will not receive atropine

Additional Exclusion Criteria for PET/MR perfusion scans

Pregnant patients

Patients that are breast feeding

Additional Exclusion Criteria for Plethysmography:

Patients with patent bypass grafts at or distal to the level of occlusion

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00027170